Where in Halifax to find the famous and Halifamous

The Wooden Monkey1707 Grafton Street, 444-3844
A resident of the north end of Halifax, Inception star Ellen Page has gone on record as being a fan of the Monkey’s organic and local fare, with dishes for vegetarians and carnivores alike. (She also likes Heartwood and the the Trident on Hollis Street.)

FRED. Beauty food art. and Whet Cafe2606 Agricola Street, 407-3733
We hear that Sidney Crosby, when at home in Cole Harbour and training, goes to a different rink every day to keep fans guessing. We also understand that when he gets his hair cut, he goes to the follicular experts at FRED. Keen Crosby-ites could just plant themselves in the cafe/gallery section of the business in the off-season, sip coffee and keep their eyes open.

The Carleton1685 Argyle Street, 405-4028
Given it’s reputation for booking Canada’s best songwriters, spotting musical gentry in the resto/live music venue isn’t unusual, though fans of the bar and its bookings extends to Hollywood: At a recent Jane Siberry show, Before Sunset actor/writer Ethan Hawke was spotted in the crowd and picked up a few of the singer’s recordings.

Press Gang Restaurant & Oyster Bar5218 Prince Street, 423-8816
They shot in the restaurant during the Jesse Stone series, so it makes sense Tom Selleck would enjoy the intimate vibe and exquisite menu at the Prince Street fine dining establishment.

jane's on the common2394 Robie Street, 431-5683
Long recognized as one of the best eateries in Halifax, Alicia Silverstone clued in and was spotted dining there while in town working on a TV movie.

The Toothy Moose1661 Argyle Street, 407-3170
A country music cabaret of sorts, the joint is co-owned by Mike Smith, better known as Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys. Smith is one well-connected dude, and he treated a fur-and-jewellery bedecked Axl Rose to a few drinks at the establishment one evening recently following a Guns and Roses gig at the Metro Centre.

The Last Word2160 Windsor Street, 423-2932
The wonderful used bookstore on Windsor Street has been hyped in this very newspaper by none other than rocker Joel Plaskett, who loves to go in and chat with owner Wayne Greene and buy crime fiction. And some in the north end believe the shop’s ever changing window display can offer hidden omens and prophesies in the cover images and titles, and not just because Paul Coelho’s The Alchemist is often found there.

The Paragon Theatre2037 Gottingen Street, 482-1998
The Paragon has been a music venue for some time, though it used to be called The Marquee before a change in ownership and a facelift. Producer, dancer and actor Neve Campbell was spotted at the venue checking out a Mark Bragg/Tom Fun Orchestra show there while she was in town working on historical miniseries The Sea Wolf.

Ireland32 Cafe6220 Quinpool Road, 444-7555
In town to make a TV movie called *Christmas In November* this summer, John Corbett (*Sex And The City*’s Aiden) dropped in at Ireland32 with his friend Bo Derek. (Yes, that Bo Derek. How many do you suppose there are?)

Freak Lunchbox1723 Barrington Street, 420-9151
Spectacularly garish candy store has had more than its share of celebs stock up on sugary treats while they visited town, including former Brat Packer Rob Lowe and Charlie’s Angel Lucy Liu.

Pete's Frootique1515 Dresden Row, 425-5700
While shooting a comedy called Jumping the Broom in Halifax this summer, CSI mainstay Gary Dourdan made the scene in Halifax, which included checking out De La Soul at the Halifax Jazz Festival. Plus, he reportedly did his grocery shopping at Pete’s Frootique.

The Halifax Alehouse1717 Brunswick Street, 423-6113
In the spring of 2006 Halifax hosted the Junos at the Metro Centre. For a weekend you couldn’t go anywhere without running into some recognizable face, though perhaps the funniest anecdote was from the afterparty at the Alehouse where Ben Mulroney danced up a storm.

Fairlanes Bowling Centre
Halifax Shopping Centre, 7001 Mumford Road, 455-5446
While on their Great White North tour of Canada in July 2007, The White Stripes played a few smoking shows in Nova Scotia, including one at the Cunard Centre and an impromptu gig at the former location of Locas Bar and Grill on Salter Street. On an evening before the show, Jack White decided to show up at Fairlanes to do some bowling, impressing the locals with skill beyond songwriting and guitar-playing.

• Carsten Knox is the special issues editor at The Coast. He recommends you be cool and say nothing when you see a celebrity (an awkward lesson learned the hard way).